The Captaincy of the Port of Koper

Minister Dr Asta Vrečko inaugurates the renovated building of the Luš Captaincy in Koper. The Ministry of Culture has allocated EUR 628,000 for the renovation of the building, which will also house the premises of the ZVKDS regional unit in Piran.

Today, the Minister Dr Asta Vrečko, the Director General of the ZVKDS Jernej Hudolin and the Head of the ZVKDS Piran Regional Unit Etbin Tavčar inaugurated the renovated cultural monument - Luške kapitanija in Koper. This marks the end of an important chapter in the renovation of the building, which represents one of the key identity symbols of the city and its maritime history.

Minister Dr Asta Vrečko “The renovation of the Luška Kapitania in Koper is an important step towards preserving our common cultural heritage and at the same time opening it up to the people. Such projects are not just about renovating buildings, but creating spaces of encounter, knowledge and dialogue between the past and the present. I am delighted that the spaces will also be open to the public, as accessibility is key to understanding, respecting and protecting heritage in the long term.”

Community remains at the heart

Director General of ZVKDS Jernej Hudolin stressed that preserving heritage is a shared responsibility for all:

»Today's symbolic opening of the Captaincy's doors is also a real opening of the Captaincy's doors - to the people, to the community and to the future.« He expressed his conviction that the revitalisation of this important cultural monument will contribute to better protection, preservation and co-creation of heritage in the area.

Historic steps to a new home

The Piran Regional Unit has been operating in various locations, and the search for suitable working conditions has accompanied its development and mission in the area for decades. In 2020, the departure of the Port Captaincy to a new location will provide an opportunity to acquire premises that also symbolically and contextually reflect the role of the Institute in the area. In this way, the ZVKDS joins the ranks of similar institutions in the Adriatic region working in important cultural monuments.

Capitania - symbol of the city and seafaring

The Head of the Piran Regional Unit of the ZVKDS gave a welcoming speech, Etbin Tavčar stressed the importance of the monument for the identity of the city:

»The Capitania is the identity symbol of the city in a broader sense, embodying the pre-industrial maritime administration of the Venetian Republic and symbolising seafaring on a human scale. In contrast, the modern port of the Port of Koper represents the global logistics system and the industrial landscape. The comprehensive renovation allows for a reinterpretation of the origins of the Port of Koper and establishes continuity between the historical and the modern maritime space. Kapitania thus becomes a symbolic bridge between the old city port and the modern logistics system.« Read more in the text by Etbin Tavčar The urban and symbolic significance of the renovation of the harbour capitania.

Kapitania - House between the city and the sea

The Capitania di Lucca was designed as a public administration building on the edge of the former harbour, already during the Venetian Republic. Its present-day appearance, designed in the Classical tradition and clad in Istrian stone, still reflects centuries of maritime history.

The inscription plaque with the year 1713, the coat of arms of the Viceroy of Koper Peter Grimani and an inscription indicates the conversion of an older building for the port health service (Sanità portuale) The building was located outside the compact urban fabric, on the platform by the mandrake, between the Balluardo Thiepolo terrapienato and Parte terrapienato fortifications, opposite the St Martin's Gate (cf. plan by G. Fino, 1619).

For more information on the cultural monument, see the article by Dr Mojca Marjana Kovač Kapitania, between port and town (ZVKDS).

A decision that required cooperation

The path to renovation required important decisions, including the sale of the existing premises in Piran and close cooperation with the Municipality of Piran. The funds raised were used to pay the purchase price for the new facility.

Since 2021, €628,160.69 has been invested in the renovation, provided by the Ministry of Culture. The renovation was intended to make the interior spaces fit in with the authentic appearance of the building and, where possible, to use materials suitable for historic buildings. The building is now complete in terms of construction and installation and is ready to be furnished and occupied.

Working together for a common heritage

The project has progressed thanks to the cooperation of many individuals and institutions. Special thanks go to the Municipality of Koper, the designers, the contractors and the staff of the Regional Unit Piran for their professionalism, perseverance and trust.

 A look ahead

Employees will benefit from modern working conditions and the public will benefit from more accessible services and professional support. The ground floor of the renovated building will be used for consultation, exhibition and presentation spaces, with the aim of bringing the work of conservators and restorers closer to the general public and raising awareness of the importance of protecting cultural heritage.

On this occasion, the Piran Regional Unit has also prepared a small exhibition about the Port of Piran Captaincy and its development over time.

The exhibition will be open to the public until the end of summer 2026.

Photos on the link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/sf8qfqznfppwrreuwkddd/ANWx66SX54och8OUWhATmZ0?rlkey=z3xjbmubq7f7uw8cjaplvqou2&dl=0

Photographer Anže Malovrh/STA

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